Extreme Weather and Fire/Drought

Shortwave

a type of radiant energy that comes from the sun, includes visible light, UV and near-infrared radiation

Insolation

Incoming solar radiation- creates higher air temperatures, light energy is absorbed

Longwave

thermal or infrared radiation emitted by the Earth, heat radiation

Conduction

kinetic energy of heat that is spread through contact

Convection

kinetic energy of heat that is spread through mixing

Radiation

oscillations of electromagnetic fields

Low pressure cells

associated with hot air, convergence and uplift

High pressure cells

associated with cool air, divergence and subsidence

Parcel

balloon sized volume of air that can rise or sink in the atmosphere

Atmospheric Stability

refers to the tendency of air parcels to remain in their original position or resist vertical motion

Atmospheric turbulence

describes the chaotic, irregular motions of air caused by various factors such as terrain, temperature differences, and wind shear

Cold front

a boundary between a mass of cold air and a mass of warm air, often associated with storms and precipitation

Warm front

a boundary where a mass of warm air rises over a mass of cold air, typically bringing gradual changes in weather and often resulting in widespread precipitation

Strong temperature gradient

a significant difference in temperature between two air masses

Strong updraft

a rapid upward movement of air that can contribute to the development of thunderstorms and severe weather

Hail

precipitation in the form of ice pellets that form within strong thunderstorms

Thunderstorms

intense weather systems characterized by the presence of lightning, thunder, heavy rain, and sometimes hail, often associated with strong updrafts

Lightning

a discharge of electricity that occurs during a thunderstorm, often seen as a bright flash

Stepped ladder

a process in which electrical charge moves in a series of steps from the cloud to the ground, creating a pathway for lightning

Brontides

low-frequency sounds produced by thunderstorms, often described as a rumbling or roar

Vortex or Mesocyclone

a rotating column of air within a thunderstorm that can lead to the formation of tornadoes

Tornado

a rapidly rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm to the ground, capable of causing significant destruction

Funnel cloud

a rotating, funnel-shaped cloud that extends from a thunderstorm and has the potential to develop into a tornado, doesn’t touch ground

Latent heat of condensation

the heat released when water vapor condenses into liquid water, contributing to storm energy and intensity

Typhoon

a tropical cyclone occurring in the Northwest Pacific, characterized by strong winds and heavy rain

Cyclone

a large scale air mass that rotates around a strong center of low atmospheric pressure, typically bringing severe weather

Storm surge waves

that result from strong winds and low pressure during storms, causing higher sea levels and flooding in coastal areas

Saffir Simpson Scale

a scale that categorizes hurricanes based on their sustained wind speeds, ranging from Category 1 to Category 5, indicating potential damage

Drought

extended period of unusually low precipitation that produces a shortage of water for people, animals and plants

Meteorological drought

lower than average precipitation

Agricultural drought

conditions that adverse plant responses which can range from reduced crop and forage to total crop failure

Hydrological drought

when aquifers, reservoirs and rivers flow well below average rates of discharge

Inter-tropical Convergence Zone

global level wind that brings seasonal rains to most of the equatorial regions

Semi-arid regions

dry but having slightly more rain than an arid region or climate

arid

having little or no rain, too dry to support vegetation

La Nina

weather pattern that occurs when the ocean surface temperatures in the central and east central equatorial pacific cool below average

Dust storms

strong windstorms that can strip fine sediments off the top of a soil profile

Sandstorms

similar to dust storms in process but the particles size grade is larger, big as 2mm in diameter are airborne

Heatwaves

periods of very high temperature that persist

Wildfires

self-sustaining, rapid, high temperature fires that require fuel, oxygen and heat

Serotinous vegetation

late in developing, opening or blooming

Ignition source

can be natural, lighting, volcanic eruptions or human made, any spark

Fuel

most available in areas where disease has reduced canopy moisture levels, low vegetation

Wildfire suppression

process of putting out or controlling a wildfire

Fire spotting

when embers, sparks or fire whirls from a fire are carried by the wind and start new fires

Fire break

an area with no fuel, creek, stream, river

Water-bombing aircraft

aircraft that is designed to fight fires by dropping water on them

Polar cell

a small atmospheric circulation cell that moves air from the lower latitudes to the poles and back again

Ferrel Cell

a model of the mid-latitude air circulation in Earth's atmosphere

Hadley Cell

low-latitude overturning circulations that have air rising at the equator and air sinking at roughly 30° latitude

Malnourishment (kwashiorkor & marasmus)

severe forms of protein-energy malnutrition

kwashiorkor

A deficiency in protein, but with adequate carbohydrate intake. Symptoms include edema (swelling), especially in the face and belly, as well as dry hair, loss of appetite, and irritability

marasmus

A deficiency in all macronutrients, including protein, carbohydrates, and fats. Symptoms include a wasted and shriveled appearance, loss of subcutaneous fat, and muscle wasting